I’ve mentioned this numerous times and it NEEDS to be repeated over and over again.  You must have multiple outs when doing business. 

If you asking what is an out, I’m talking about more then one option if one goes south.  Back in the day it was called a back up plan. 

Here is why I bring this up. 

One of my vendors has been out of pocket for a project he has agreed to complete.  I reached out to him for an update, and he said he was having problems with his internet and would respond to me tomorrow well that was three days ago. 

I’m assuming he is still having challenges BUT now I must move on to complete the project that is already behind. 

That’s what I mean by having multiple outs.  One of my mentors taught me that the worst number in business is ONE. 

Why? 

Because when that one is out of pocket, broken, sick or whatever you can keep everything moving without your life coming to a grinding halt.

Always ask the question what are my outs?  This way if you need to use it you spend less time trying to figure out what to do. 

Have an Amazing Day and thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.

Sincerely,
Eric “Outsmart” Anderson
 
P.S. If you or someone you know is looking to go from being unknown to working with the media to build your business or cause or heck you just want to be famous for the sake of being famous you do not want to miss the special event, I’m hosting with Chandra Whitfield on getting publicity.  Matter of fact just this weekend a man approached me and says hey I saw you on Television.  It was a very short clip that happened Friday but I can now use this footage for numerous things.  Anyway, on Saturday May 22, 2021 Chandra and I will walk you through how to properly work with the media to get your story out there in BIG WAY!  Chandra is an Award Winning Journalist with work in the New York Times and MANY other publications.  Here client list reads like a whos whos for media.  Here is the link to sign up for this event.  Make sure you share this with a couple of friends that would like to promote what they do through the media.   Click this link to sign up for the event.  More details coming soon! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q-CWqW1-SnukUAWtFNRSVA
 
 
 

Yesterday I went online to find a location so I could “Vote Early”.  The Georgia International Convention Center so that’s where I went. I left early because of some stuff I heard on the radio I did not know what to expect in terms of lines.  

Anyway, I arrive and myself and a lady are the only ones there to vote in this convention center turned into a massive polling site.
 
I exercised my right as a citizen and they printed out my ballot I was excited because I thought I was going to be able to take it home with me. 

That was not the case. 

The next step I had to give my ballot to a lady who then put it into a machine that counted my ballot and the nice lady operating the machine wanted me to see that my vote was cast and I was number 4465 she gave me my little peach sticker and I was on my way.

I almost forgot the best part.  She said I might I should play those numbers in the lottery. 

The whole process was designed to make me / people feel comfortable that their vote will really count. 

I’m not saying my vote won’t count I believe it will but I really have zero idea what happens when that container with the ballots leaves that location and what happens next. 

I’m bringing all this up because the voting process was a “choreographed demonstration” whenever possible if you can demonstrate your process beyond just words you put yourself in a powerful position to improve your results, response while making people feel better about your process.

Demonstration is one of the most powerful ways to sell an idea.  One demonstration that really stands out was from an informercial that talked about all the checks they received in the mail each day.  Then a mail carrier dressed in the recognizable garb with a HUGE bag of mail comes out on stage and they proceed to dump out the mail onto a table too small to hold all the mail which means the excess mail is cascading onto the ground. 

Next someone opens up random pieces of mail and pulls out the check and reads out the amount on the check.  Naturally this demonstration is much better then saying we get checks in the mail each and every day.  

When I’m putting together a presentation online or onstage, I always ask myself the question how can I demonstrate the point I’m trying to make. 

This is extra important when doing a virtual presentation online because people have so many distractions, we have to do more to keep their attention.

Always ask is there a way to create a demonstration around the idea I’m trying to explain.
 
Next Tuesday at noon Derek Ostovani will demonstrate how to set up a virtual stage for your online presentations even though he is a student of one of my programs I will be his student to learn his way to set up a virtual stage. 

Feel free to reply with questions you would like me to ask Derek.  And if you have not registered to attend LIVE here is the link https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CDudf8QfQdis4ybDjWRs7g 

Speaking at virtual events is “HOT” and you definitely want to take advantage of them. Nothing will be sold this is a 100% Gift.

Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.

Have an Amazing Day!

Sincerely,
Eric “Did My Duty” Anderson
 
P.S.  Join us live by registering at this link.  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CDudf8QfQdis4ybDjWRs7g

I almost got into a fight with a direct descendant of the dinosaurs. 

Here is what happened.

I was on my usual morning walk to get my blood flowing and mentally preparing my day.  I also listen to something educational.

This particular morning my head was down and I was not paying attention.

I walked into a family of Geese I usually see this family in a different location so I was not even thinking I would run into where I did.

Anyway, the mom or dad I’ll just call them the protector came at me hissing!

I looked and thought I bet I can take this thing and as soon as I had the thought the Goose picked up its pace coming towards me and this goose had WAY TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE.   

I said it MUST know something I don’t and I got out of there ASAP.  I laughed and said well I heard birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs.

Seriously, it was simply protecting its family.  The truth is you would do the same thing.  Personally, for me protecting my family comes down to always working on improving my skills and abilities and taking action on what I’m learning.  In addition, I try to get just a tad better.

Friday afternoon I gave Virtual Keynote to a group and one of the principles I shared was this idea of making small shifts to get better.

Small shifts will make a massive difference when stretched out over a period of time.  Think about the day transitioning to the night it’s very subtle shifts in lighting and before you know realize its nighttime.

Don’t just focus on making MASSIVE changes but focus on small shifts and before you know it you’ve reached you goal.  Naturally reaching your goals will lead to a MASSIVE change.   

​Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.

Sincerely,
Eric “Scared of a Bird” Anderson
 
P.S.  Please share Eric’s Escapades with your friends and colleagues.  Send you friends to the link below and tell them what I do…

http://www.ericandersonlive.com/erics-escapades.html

This episode is a Public Service Announcement.

Yesterday I was on the phone with a friend, my phone beeps, I click over to see who it is and to my surprise it’s a message from Georgia Power saying they are going to cut off lights at 7:00pm.
 
The message continues saying I can call this number or click 1 to speak with someone now.  A “Customer Service Rep” picks up the phone and basically repeats the message saying I must make a payment before 7:00pm.
 
They added if I make the payment through my bank depending on when the bank processes the payment it could take 48 hours to post and your service will have been cut off “However” if I go to a local Western Union and make a payment before 7:00pm it will prevent the service from being cut off.

Meanwhile as I’m having this conversation, I’m walking to my computer to pull up my account. 

In the process I say to the Georgia Power “Customer Service Rep” “wow you guys are doing this to people during Covid 191 he then gets UPSET and YELLS!

“Sir go online and I dare you to find a statute that says you do not have to pay your bill because of Covid 19.”

First red flag because I did not say anything about not paying my bill. 

I ask to speak to a supervisor. 

His manager gets on the phone and apologizes for the previous “Customer Service Rep”

Now I’m in front of my computer.

I ask the guy what is it that I owe and he gives me a number and I say that’s not what my account says, he makes some nonsense statement. 

I then say Nah you’re not Georgia Power he says, YES we are I say nah you’re not!

And he hangs up the phone. 

My next step is to call Georgia Power myself and I share what happened and she says Yes sir we know about this and lots of people are getting caught up in this scam. 

The “Real” Georgia Power Customer Service Rep asks would I mind providing the number they called from etc.

I could see LOTS of people falling for this scam because it was very well orchestrated. 

Even though I thought my bill was paid they created enough doubt by simply calling.  Their good cop bad cop routine! 

You can tell this was crafted with effort.

Here is what you need to understand this was a “Presentation” that was designed to defraud people.

Naturally our goal is to create a “Presentation” that’s designed to HELP people.

The POWER of your voice can help or hurt people.

What these CROOKS are doing is EVIL!  Be on the lookout.

Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.
 
Sincerely,
Eric “They Almost Got Me” Anderson
 
P.S.  emotion trumps logic and if someone gets you emotionally caught of guard it’s easy to make mistakes.  Stay calm!

It’s easy to forget there are other ways to get the job done. 
For example, nowadays, in everyone touts the importance of social media saying things like if you’re not on social you will soon be out of business etc. 

Do I use social media yes matter of fact some of the readers of Eric’s Escapades came from my Social Media advertising BUT let’s not forget there are other ways to generate business and bring attention to what it is that you do.

The truth is EVERYTHING you do should work together to get the results you want to achieve.  One of my mentors taught me to look at what everyone in business is doing and don’t do that and you’ll be ahead of the game. 

The logic is simple if EVERYONE is doing the same thing it can’t possibly be the most effective thing you could do. 

I bring this up because when following the crowd, it’s EASY to forget there are other actions you can take to get the results your going after. 
Someone asked me how they could get more business with families throwing birthday parties.  I said here is what you do and I guarantee this will get you business.

Here is what I told the person.  First, I asked the question what do people usually have at a birthday party to eat?

They answered a cake.

I said exactly here is what you do.  Find a local bakery in your area that makes cakes and talk with the owner tell them what you do and ask can you leave some flyers in their location and offer to give them a percentage if you generate any business.

Most will say sure feel free to leave your flyer, especially if you have purchased baked goods in the past. 

How do I know for sure this works? Because I did this myself.
Now here is how you grow it.  Go to every bakery in your city and do the same thing.  Naturally everyone is not going to say yes.  But let’s say out of 100 bakeries 50 say sure leave your flyer. 
Now let’s say you only get an average of “ONLY” two people per bakery to do business with you over the course of an entire year.
 
Well that equals 100 clients. 

Your total investment is the cost of printing the flyers and driving around to meet the owners / replenish the flyers.  I would suggest giving the owner a percentage or make sure you purchase some baked goods even if you don’t eat that stuff just give it away. 

Easy! 

This has nothing to do with social media but works wonders.  Since we are in the middle of Covid 19 right now you might have to wait but as soon as we get back to what was I would JUMP on this if that’s your business. 

With a little bit of thought you can see how this applies to lots of business and how to make it apply to what YOU DO!

Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.
​
Sincerely,
Eric “Now I Want a Cupcake” Anderson
 
P.S. With a little bit of thought you can see how this applies to lots of business and how you can make it apply to what YOU DO!  I did a variation of this in my speaking business through corporations’ internal corporate newsletters.  Works wonders!

The other day my daughter is watching me work and says WOW daddy why do you have so many emails in your inbox. 

I tell her because I’m on lots of other peoples lists.
She asks WHY?

Here’s why – first off, I purposely sign up and get on the lists for companies and marketers that know something about marketing and selling. 

I discovered you can receive a million-dollar marketing education by observing what other companies are doing and ask questions / observing why they are taking that action etc.

Your education goes deeper when you invest in the product and study their follow up marketing process, take note of their upsells, cross sells price points, how they maintain the relationship etc.

I first started doing this with MAIL IN OFFERS in the late 90’s and I discovered an entirely new world of how people are selling and marketing their products and services.

This helps simulate ideas that can easily be adapted to what it is that you do with very little creativity. 

I discovered if someone is doing something over and over again it’s HIGHLY likely that something is working for them.

And that my friend is why I have so many emails in my inbox AND why love getting “junk” mail because one person’s junk mail is another person’s treasure.

Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.
​
Sincerely,
Eric “I Love Junk Mail” Anderson
 
P.S. Some of you may remember the commercials back in the day for Hair Club, the guy that said “I’m not only the Hair Club president, but I’m also a client” Side note - that is a strategy right there.  Be your own case study! Anyway, recently called into a radio ad for Hair Club to get into their marketing matrix. And they are relentless and do a FANTASTIC JOB marketing and selling their service.  They invest TONS of money on their advertising and now I’m able to learn some of their process.
 
P.P.S. Last night I hosted the first session How To Finish Your Book In Record Time.  Everyone that attended knows we have 4 more days of the training.  This happens each night at 7:00 pm est.  If you are already on the list you will now receive your reminders from my zoom account.  If you want to join us for the rest of the week here is the link.  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AJDDJD36STiWOjdXszfBqg

The word “Because” is one of the most powerful words in persuasion.  You should use this in Life, Marketing and I’ll share how it also applies to parenting.

Let explain!

As a very small child I remember getting in trouble because I was walking and sliding my feet on the ground making that annoying sound you make when that occurs.

It’s important you understand I did not know that’s what I was doing. 

Anyway, the adult says to me “boy pick your damn feet up when you walk.”

Because it was not explained to me why I did not understand what that meant and just kept walking. 

It was stated again but this time LOUDER “BOY I SAID PICK YOUR DAMN FEET UP WHEN YOU WALK”

Doing my best trying to understand what was being asked of me I started exaggerated my steps by bringing my knees up really high as I was walking.

Well the adult thought I was trying to be a smart butt and that turned into a beating. 

Fast forward as a father I have a better understanding how kids process and they are VERY literal. 

And naturally there are times when little kids get fresh but, in my case, I was just trying to understand what was being asked of me.

If it was explained to me – I’m asking you to pick up your feet because your making this annoying sound and tearing up your shoes.

I’m sure I would have had a better understating what was being asked of me and there was a better chance I would remember not to do it next time.  

What on earth does all this have to do with Life and Marketing. 

When I first delved into understating marketing and salesmanship, I discovered the power of explaining WHY! 

And then around 1995 I discovered a FANTASTIC book titled Influence by Robert B. Cialdini.  He is the Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University.

Anyway, in the book he shares a study that details when requesting someone to do something if you put the word because in front of your reason why this dramatically increases the odds the person will take the actin you want them to take.

And here is what most interesting they found. It was less about the reason why and more to do with using the word BECAUSE.
 
They tested reasons why that did not make any sense but adding the word because increased compliance dramatically.

Why am I sharing this story about sliding feet and powerful books on psychology, because regardless what you think YOU have a powerful book inside that will benefit other people.
 
I want to remind you starting next week on the May 11th I’m hosting the Special Training how to get Your book Finished I Record Time! 
 
Click the link below to register because this will make a HUGE difference in how people perceive you. 

​Click the link below now and register.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AJDDJD36STiWOjdXszfBqg
 
Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.
Sincerely,
Eric “Just Because” Anderson
 
P.S. If you have a friend that has a story that needs to be told, feel free to share the link to this special training because this will help them finally get their book finished.  Naturally they do not know me so share a few kind words about me because obviously this will give them more context.  Here is the link to send to them.  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AJDDJD36STiWOjdXszfBqg
 

My kids were very excited to see the Blue Angles and the Thunderbirds fly over Atlanta this weekend.

I told my daughter when I was a cook in the Air Force the Thunderbirds came to the flight line Dining Hall where I worked and we had the opportunity to cook for them which was REALLY BIG DEAL when they came to the base. 

Anyway, here is a funny story about the day I cooked for the Thunderbirds.

When the Thunderbirds walked into the dining hall they were signing their headshots etc.

A little back story.  I just hand my own headshots taken and was showing everyone, I worked with on the flight line.  As the Thunderbirds are signing autographs a friend says Anderson go get your picture. 
I felt weird about getting my picture in that moment but I did it anyway and it led to me performing some card magic for the Thunderbirds and a few other people. 

There I was in my military fatigues with my white apron stained with food and grease doing card tricks.  When I was finished, we were exchanging headshots and the Thunderbirds were asking for my autograph as well.  Very Fun Moment!

I want to make two IMPORTANT points-

First - What somebody is doing right now in their life does not mean they can’t make changes and do something different down the road.  In my example I really enjoyed cooking in the Air Force but that did not mean that was going to be my path for the rest of my life assuming I took the steps that moved me closer to my goals.  Even if those steps were inconsistent or imperfect as long as I kept moving closer, I would reach the goal at some point and obviously today I’m the Magician with a Message.

Second - You can’t be afraid to promote / market what it is that you do. I was hesitant about getting my headshot but when I did it led to an opportunity.  People tell me all the time they find it difficult to put themselves out there because what if people don’t like them etc.  When I came out with my first book Ah-Ha! I had a few people saw to me directly and I quote -

“Who Do You Think You Are To Write A Book”

Far better to focus on the positive then get caught up in the negative thoughts people “MIGHT” say about you. 

By performing for the Thunderbirds this started a “Story” on the base about “the flight line cook” that performs Magic!

So, guess what happens MORE PEOPLE want to see what you can do which leads to more opportunity. 

Keeping plugging away on your goals.

Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.
Sincerely,
​
Eric “The Thunderbird of Card Magic” Anderson
 
P.S. Starting next week on the 11th I’m hosting the Special Training how to get Your book Finished I Record time!  Click the link below to register.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AJDDJD36STiWOjdXszfBqg

About three months ago while speaking with a coaching client he came up with every single excuse under the sun as to why he has not moved forward with his project. 
 
For every reason he came up with I told him about someone who had the exact same excuse BUT still moved forward to accomplished their goals.
 
Finally, I asked him this question - How long have you been talking about launching your product?
 
His answer was 12 years. 
 
When he heard his answer, he paused and said “Damn I must be the problem.”
 
This was his first breakthrough!
 
Well, he finally launched his product to his target market and hit a home run.  He said wow I should of done this 12 years ago.
 
I know his feeling because years ago I had a very similar experience.  When I just did what I said I was going to do I had some success.
 
Naturally everything is not always going to go as planned BUT when you take action you are closer to reaching the goal.
 
Have an Amazing Day!

Sincerely,
Eric “Tough Love” Anderson
 
P.S. I would love to have you join me during my LIVE WEBCAST to help you get more clients.  This way I get to answer your questions and interact with you during the session.
 
Here is the link below to register.  GoTo www.MagicianWithAMessage.com right now and register for my upcoming LIVE WEBCAST I hope to see you there.

The other day my eight-year-old twins Samantha and Sebastian are doing their math homework.  
 
While checking Sebastian answers I realized he missed some of the problems I show him his mistakes and had him correct the problems.
 
Meanwhile Samantha is now finished and watching me correct her brothers work and she realized she made the “exact” same mistakes. 
 
Anyway, they finished their math and start eating dinner before they start on the rest of their other homework. 
 
Their auntie comes over for dinner and to pick up something and is casually looking at their math work and tells them they need to make some corrections. 
 
By the way she’s an educator and teaches math.
 
As you may have already guessed, everything I helped them with was WRONG!  They actually had the correct answers and I had them change to an incorrect answer. 
 
WHAT! I can’t be wrong but I was. LOL 
 
This new math is a trip.  I do not remember doing algebra in the third grade.  Their teacher reassured me not to worry because ALL the parents are having challenges because we were just taught how to it differently.
 
That’s it I’m getting a tutor - for me!
 
Here is why I bring this up everybody needs to fine tune their skills and learn new skills to stay on top of their game.
 
I may not know third grade math BUT I know how to get complete strangers to contact you excited to bring you in for their events.
 
I would love to have you join me during my LIVE WEBCAST!
 
This way I get to answer your questions and interact with you during the session.
 
Here is the link below to register.  
 
GoTo www.MagicianWithAMessage.com right now and register for upcoming LIVE WEBCAST
I hope to see you there.
 
Have an Amazing Day!
 
Eric “Not Smarter Than a Third Grader” Anderson
 
P.S. I only present my webinar's LIVE. GoTo www.MagicianWithAMessage.com right now and register for upcoming LIVE WEBCAST while it's fresh on your mind.

For clarity I’m sharing two different stories that are connected by the topic that all of us are living our lives while dealing with life’s challenges.

Here’s what this episode is all about.

While talking with a friend she asked my advice about her recent post on Facebook.

I suggested she add a bit of variety and stop striving for perfection on social media.

She told me someone actually reached out and said WOW everything in your life seems to be “perfect” with all that is going on in the world. 

This comment obviously came after her most recent post on social media.

Another person posted a snide comment on her social media page etc. we talked about it and I suggested she change it up a bit and talk about something that is imperfect in her life. 

Naturally you are not going to please everyone but the problem with projecting perfection is some people are looking forward to seeing you to FAIL!

Not sure she will follow my suggestion. 

Anyway, shortly after having this conversation with her I reached out to a longtime friend to catch up with her since we have not talked in a minute. 

We played phone tag and then she responded with a text that was worded in such a way that I knew something major has happened. 

I called her back and she told me her sister has passed away.

This really shocked me because her and her sister were two of the people I met early on when I moved to Atlanta 27 years ago.

She tells me she had not heard from her sister in a few days and stopped by her house to do a wellness check and discovered here body. 

They do not think there was any foul play or anything to do with Covid-19 BUT everyone is devastated and I was totally shocked by the news.

Check in on folks say hello and let them know you care.
​
Thank you for attending another episode of Eric’s Escapades.

​Sincerely,
Eric “Still In Shock” Anderson
 
P.S. That last conversation was a reminder tomorrow is not promised